Entertainment

I watched the Easter Egg on the Return of the King DVD last night. Oh - my - God FUNNY. Elijah Wood has a pretty infectious laugh. It’s kind of painful, too, though. I’m the kind of person that really can’t stand seeing awkward situations developing. When I’m watching a sitcom that I’ve seen before and a character is about to make a complete fool of themselves, I have to fight with myself to keep from changing the channel so I don’t have to see it happen. Sometimes I lose and change it anyway. I covered my eyes a couple times while watching the Easter Egg. Not because it was gross or anything, because I was trying to hide from the uncomfortableness.

I got a lot of new CDs for Christmas this year. I’ve been in more of a music acquisition mood. Now, some of these are rather old, so no doubt this is not news to people. Just look at this as a “learn more about Jen” opportunity. Also, keep in mind that I’ve only listened to most of these once, but so far here are my impressions of my new acquisitions:

1. Tamayra Gray The Dreamer - * * (Pop)
The only track I’ve heard on the radio so far is “Yesterday / Today”, and I like that one. The album wasn’t exceptional at first listen, but I reserve the right to upgrade my opinion.
2. Kelly Clarkson Breakaway - * * * (Pop)
Two songs from this one are on the charts at this point: “Breakaway” and “Since You’ve Been Gone”. None of the others really jumped out at me, but it took me a while to fall in love with her first CD, too. (She’s my fave Idol star ever.)
3. Avril Levine Let Go - * * * * (Pop)
Everybody knows these. “Sk8er Boy” got overplayed, but this is still an outstanding debut album.
4. Avril Levine Under my Skin - * * * * (Pop)
This one has my favorite Avril stuff. No track on the CD got less than 3 *’s from me.
5. Dido Life for Rent - * * * (Pop)
Dido gets boring to me after a while. I like this disc better than her first, by a bit.
6. Various Artists Lilo and Stitch Soundtrack - * * * * (Soundtrack)
I love the polynesian-themed music. And, Elvis is never a mistake.
7. Various Artists Disney’s Lilo and Stitch Island Favorites - * (Oldies)
Skip this one. Most of it is cheesy Hawaii-themed pop that you’ve never heard of before. Two of the good songs are available on the soundtrack. The only one I really liked otherwise was the one of Nani singing Aloha Oe, and it isn’t very long. You can sing it to yourself. :)
8. Various Artists Office Space Soundtrack - * (R&B/Rap)
9. Kimberly Locke One Love - * * (Pop)
I’ve had this one for a couple months. It’s disappointing. The most disappointing thing is that the rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow has been “popped up” way too much.
10. Jewel Spirit - * * (Pop)
Not my favorite Jewel CD. Nothing is really fantastic, and a couple of the tracks are almost annoying. It’s nice and mellow, though.
11. Jewel This Way - * * * (Pop)
My favorite from Jewel is still 0304. This one doesn’t have anything outstanding, but it’s all decent. It’s more pop and less folk than Spirit, but les pop and more folk than 0304.
12. Various Artists Wicked Soundtrack - * * (Musical Soundtrack)
I had heard so much about this that I may have had higher expectations of the music than is reasonable. I think the play is more reknowned for the staging than the music. There are a few good tracks, and all of it is OK. But it is very, well, “Broadway”. I usually have to let musical scores grow on me, though.